The Fire Within - an atla fanfic (Zuko x OC)

I'd Never Been Born At All

The work day was finally over. I was a nervous wreck. Katara had stopped by earlier, and knowing her, all of Ba Sing Se probably knew we were here by now. I couldn't bring myself to tell Iroh or Zuko, they were both so happy. I could only hope Katara kept our presence to herself. I tried to ease my mind by sweeping the floor with Zuko.

"Are you okay, Ash? You seem worried." Zuko commented.

"I'm fine... just tired. We had a lot of work today." I said, partially telling the truth. "At least I got a lot of tips." I added mischievously.

"Ashley! I told you not to get tips from the customers. We do not need the extra money. Plus, as I say, good tea is it's own reward." Iroh softly scolded.

I scoffed. "We are in the upper ring, no one is gonna miss the few coins they gave me. Zuko will agree with me, right Zuko?" I asked, prodding Zuko with my elbow.

"Perhaps what Uncle said is for the best." Zuko concluded.

I rolled my eyes and kept sweeping. A few moments later, a man walked into the shop.

"A message from the royal palace." He said, bowing and handing a scroll to Iroh. He walked out.

I widened my eyes, scared that Katara had snitched on us. Uncle's astonishment cooled my worry.

"I...I can't believe it."

Zuko walked over to Iroh. "What is it Uncle?"

"Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!" Uncle said in excitement. He ran off to the rear of the shop, while Zuko and I continued to sweep.

"I'm so happy for Uncle." Zuko said with a smile.

"Yeah, it's wonderful news." I said plainly.

"Are you mad at me?" Zuko asked briskly.

I shook my head quickly. "Oh, no no no, Zuko. I'm not mad at you." I put my broom down and gave Zuko a tight hug. "I told you, I'm just tired." I hated lying to Zuko.

Zuko pulled away from my hug and gave me a short kiss. "I love you, you know that?"

I blushed deeply and stammered. "I- I love you too, Zuko."

Iroh  watched us in awe. "Love in bloom..."

Zuko and I both sighed, and went back to what we were doing. I couldn't help but blush thinking of what Zuko had said. He actually loved me. That was insane. Something in the back of my mind was hesitant though. Did Zuko love me, or this weird, new, positive Zuko?

———

I kissed Zuko on the cheek. "Have fun."

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Iroh asked.

"No, I'm fine, Uncle. I have a few things to do here."  I said with a tiny smile. "When do you think you'll be back?" I asked.

"In a few hours; around noon." Iroh responded. He grabbed his tea making set and opened the door. "We won't be too long."

"Alright, see 'ya." I smiled and went into the bathroom, filling up the bathtub. As the water filled up, I looked in the mirror. My hair needed more dye again. My hair was becoming a faded, grey mess, my dirty-blonde roots starting to peek through. As much as I wished I could just grow my hair back out, and scrub the remains of the dried ink out, I knew it was for the better to keep staining it black. Especially being in the Upper Ring, with Dai Li agents lurking around, it was better not to get them any suspicions. I grabbed the well of ink from my room and started putting it in every inch of my hair. I tied up my hair once it was fully coated in order to dry it out. I took off my clothes and laid down in the bath, heating it up to my liking.